The NSW Nationals in the state government’s 2022-23 Budget acts decisively on immediate cost of living concerns and locks in Clarence and Richmond Valley infrastructure well into the future, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis declared.
“The Budget puts ink to paper on the big ticket items we have promised like the major redevelopment of the Grafton Hospital, the new ambulance station in Casino and the new $8.4 million Clarence Emergency Operations and Fire Control Centre,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“Given that there is an election next year, it was important to make these projects impossible to cancel.”
Mr Gulaptis said the Government had also listened and acted on growing concerns about cost of living pressures, following the pandemic, the flood and surging prices, particularly for fuel and power.
“We’ve stretched the State Budget to ease the squeeze on your family budget,” Mr Gulaptis said.
He said the Government was expanding what was already Australia’s best suite of household savings initiatives.
“Since the last election we have introduced a wide range of vouchers, rebates and subsidies especially beneficial to young families, seniors and low income earners and now we are making that even better,” Mr Gulaptis said.
- Every NSW schoolchild will be entitled to a new $150 Back to School voucher
- Eligible households will be able to apply for free solar panels and energy and green appliances under a new $128 million Energy Bill Buster program.
- A Brighter Beginnings Affordable Preschool initiative will provide fee relief for preschool and long day-care.
- Uni students and apprentices in regional NSW will be qualify for a $250 travel expenses card, similar to the one the Nationals in Government brought in for regional seniors.
